Swollen Uvula Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

If you have a swollen uvula, you may also be experiencing a sore throat, trouble swallowing, and maybe even a fever. An enlarged uvula is often caused by infection, an allergic reaction, or irritation from chemicals or medical procedures. Read below to find out how long a swollen uvula lasts and how to get treatment.

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Swollen Uvula Symptoms

After a scratchy throat and some trouble swallowing, you finally grab a mirror and notice a strange sight: a swollen uvula. You may not even have known the name of that fleshy tissue hanging in the back of your throat before it started giving you problems, but now you just want it to go away.

The uvula is part of the soft palate made up of muscle, connective tissue, mucus glands and immune cells. When functioning properly, it swings upward to block food from entering your nose when you swallow. When swollen, it's unsightly and uncomfortable.

A swollen uvula usually occurs along with a throat infection, but less commonly, it can happen in isolation [1].

Common accompanying symptoms of a swollen uvula are

Children are more vulnerable than adults to experience swollen uvula symptoms. It is also likely to experience the following at the same time.

Ludwig's angina

Ludwig's angina is a rare but serious infection of the space below the jaw and the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. This illness is not to be confused with "angina" which refers to cardiac pain due to coronary artery disease. The infection usually starts in the floor of the mouth th...

Swollen Uvula Treatments and Relief

A swollen uvula can be bothersome and uncomfortable, especially if it gets in the way of speaking or swallowing. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for the problem, which usually takes several days or more to resolve. In the meantime, most at-home treatments focus on addressing discomfort and keeping the problem from getting any worse.

At-home treatment

The following treatments can be tried at home and may provide relief.

Eat soft foods: Eat small meals of soft foods like yogurt and cottage cheese, well-cooked pasta or rice, and eggs, tofu or beans.

Avoid anything spicy or hot: Though boring, bland foods are your best friend when dealing with a swollen uvula that may be extra sensitive.

Stay hydrated: It's important to drink plenty of water or other liquids to stay hydrated and help the body in its healing process.

Antihistamine: Try diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to help with any swelling or itching that may accompany the swollen uvula due to an allergic reaction.

When to see a doctor

If at-home treatments are ineffective, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. He or she may suggest the following.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for bacterial infection.

Steroids: Drugs like prednisone attack the swelling and help to speed recovery

X-rays: Imaging can help determine if the swelling is confined to the uvula or if it extends further down the throat and requires further observation and treatment.

Tonsillectomy: If your uvula becomes repeatedly swollen as the result of a surrounding infection like tonsillitis, your doctor may elect to remove your tonsils to prevent future infections. The uvula is usually not removed, except in severe circumstances.

When it is an emergency

Get help right away if you have the following swollen uvula symptoms:

Trouble breathing

An allergic reaction: Or have a history of allergic reactions

Swelling that is getting rapidly worse

Inability to swallow anything at all

Since children have smaller throats and airways, it is important that they be evaluated without delay for any swelling in the back of the throat, especially if accompanied by labored breathing, wheezing, drooling or high fever.

FAQs About Swollen Uvula

Here are some frequently asked questions about swollen uvula.

Can a swollen uvula be contagious?

A swollen uvula is referred to as uvulitis, and can be identified when the uvula (the hanging structure in the back of the throat) is swollen. It is common in children, and can be caused by Group A Strep in children from ages 5 to 15. It is a type of strep throat infection and is therefore contagious, but most people will develop pharyngitis (swelling of the pharynx) instead of uvulitis.

Can alcohol cause a swollen uvula?

Alcoholic cleansers can cause uvulitis, though it is uncommon. More frequently, chemical irritants that produce vapors, hot steam, or even procedures on the pharynx like intubation or endoscopy can cause uvulitis. Alchohol routinely consumed as liquor is a less frequent cause.

Why is my uvula swollen when I wake up?

In adults, the most common causes of uvulitis is ingestion of noxious chemicals including alcoholic cleaners, cannabis smoke, medical procedures, hereditary swelling (e.g. angioedema), or allergic reactions. It does not normally occur when one awakes. If you have uvulitis and pain when you wake up, you should see a physician and review the history of the prior night.

Does a swollen uvula cause you to snore?

No, snoring is caused by a "floppy" upper airway. This means that the pharynx — the back of the nose and throat — has increasing collapsibility and resistance as one is breathing at night [6,7]. It tends to collapse and expand quickly as if it is vibrating. This can result in several medical complications if it is associated with sleep apnea.

How long does a swollen uvula last?

A swollen uvula can last anywhere from a few days to a week and a half depending on the cause. However, if you have a swollen uvula, and particularly if you are having trouble breathing, you should seek medical attention. For most instances of soft tissue swelling, an over-the-counter pain medication is a reasonable treatment.

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Swollen Uvula

To diagnose this condition, your doctor would likely ask the following questions:

What part of your mouth is swollen?

Do you have a rash?

Does your throat feel itchy or irritated?

Are your symptoms worse while eating?

If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions

Please take a quiz to find out what might be causing your swollen uvula. These questions are also covered.